Fire Pit System

ABSTRACT

The present fire pit system includes a fire pit stand including a body including a plurality of openings, wherein the walls of a fire pit body can rest upon the fire pit stand. The fire pit stand protects below surfaces (e.g., floor, ground, etc.) from high heat. The openings in the fire pit stand increase airflow. The fire pit stand fits inside the fire pit body creating a portable unit. When the fire pit is being assembled, the fire pit stand can be removed from inside the fire pit body, placed on the ground, and the fire pit body can be placed on top of the fire pit stand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/722,663 (“the '663 Application”), filed Dec. 20, 2019, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The '663 Application claims the benefit of the filing date of, andpriority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 62/784,961, filed Dec. 26,2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to fire pits. Morespecifically, the present subject matter provides compact, light, woodburning, natural convection, inverted downgas gasifer fire pits.

The problem with the existing compact wood burning fire pits is thatthey are built with a process that results in a weak construction of thefire pit, they are inefficient in burning fuel, they require multi-stepassembly, and they burn the ground where they are used.

Other current compact wood burning fire pits are made with outdatedmanufacturing processes that involve repeated spot welding, whichdecreases the strength of the fire pit and compromises the structuralquality of the fire pit. Other compact wood burning fire pits burn theirfuel with a traditional campfire method, which is inefficient. Someexisting fire pits have an open bottom, which leaves the ground belowthe fire pit burned and increases the risk of starting a wildfire.

Accordingly, the world needs a compact wood burning fire pit that isstrong, durable, easy to use, burns wood more efficiently, requiresminimal assembly and leaves minimal impact to the earth after use. Thereis a need for fire pits as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosureprovides fire pits that are strong, durable, easy to use, burn wood moreefficiently, requires minimal assembly and leaves minimal impact to theearth after use.

The fire pit provided herein provides an ultra-light weight, yet strongand sturdy, fire pit that may be taken into the outdoors and will leaveno trace on the environment. The fire pit can boil water or cook foodwith a minimal amount of fuel due to its highly efficient fuel burningprocess.

The disclosure is also directed to a fire pit stand including a bodyincluding a plurality of openings, wherein the walls of the fire pitbody can rest upon the fire pit stand. The fire pit stand protects belowsurfaces (e.g., floor, ground, etc.) from high heat. The openings in thefire pit stand increase airflow. The fire pit stand fits inside the firepit body creating a portable unit. When the fire pit is being assembled,the fire pit stand can be removed from inside the fire pit body, placedon the ground, and the fire pit body can be placed on top of the firepit stand.

An object of the invention is to provide a fire pit that islight-weight, compact, and portable. compact, light, wood-burning,natural convection, inverted downgas gasifer fire pits.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wood-burning fire pitthat uses natural convection.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a fire pit that isefficient.

A further advantage of the invention is to provide a fire pit that hasminimal impact on the environment in which it is used.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned byproduction or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages ofthe concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies,instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations.In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similarelements.

FIGS. 1A-1 B are perspective views of the stove system in a useconfiguration and portable configuration, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of the fire pit stand.

FIGS. 3A-3B are front views of an example of assembling the stove systeminto the use configuration.

FIG. 4 is another example of the stove system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate the fire pit system 10 including a fire pit stand12 used in combination with the fire pit body 14, wherein the fire pitbody 14 sits on top of the fire pit stand 12 when the fire pit system 10is in use. When the fire pit system 10 is not in use, the fire pit stand12 can be stored within the fire pit body 14. The fire pit body 14 andthe fire pit stand 12 can independently be made of a solid metallic bandor ring. In an example, the fire pit system 10 can be composed ofdurable stainless steel.

In an example, the fire pit body 14 can include a plurality of bodyopenings 18 used to increase air flow. For example, the body openings 18can be arranged in at least one row around the circumference of the firepit body 14, which allows the outside air to flow into the fire pit tomaintain the fire. The air can flow up the walls of the fire pit to beheated and help fuel the secondary combustion. In an example, the row ofbody openings 18 can be positioned around a bottom portion of the firepit body 14. For example, the row of body openings 18 can be positionedaround a bottom edge of the fire pit body 14. In an example, the bodyopenings 18 can have a diameter of between, and including, 0.2 to 1.0inches (e.g., 0.51 inches).

The fire pit body 14 can be one piece, which gives the fire pit muchgreater strength and resistance from bending. The bottom of the fire pitbody 14 can include a strength rib that is positioned around thecircumference of the bottom, which can create added strength to the firepit to prevent warping.

The fire pit stand 12 size can be any suitable size. In an example, thediameter of the fire pit stand 12 can be between, and including, 13inches to 27 inches, or any suitable size to fit the fire pit body 14.The fire pit body 14 can have a diameter between and including 13 inchesto 32 inches. The fire pit body 14 can have a diameter slightly largerthan that of the fire pit stand 12 such that the fire pit stand 12 canbe stored inside the fire pit body 14. In an example, the fire pit stand12 can be stored within the fire pit body 14 via a pressure fit.Alternatively, or in addition to, the fire pit stand 12 can be storedwithin the fire pit body 14 via any appropriate mechanism including, butnot limited to, clasp, screw, magnet, adhesive, among others.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example of how the fire pit system 10 can beassembled by placing the fire pit body 14 on the fire pit stand 12 foruse. FIG. 3B illustrates an example of how the fire pit body 14 engageswith the fire pit stand 12 when in use. In an example, the fire pit body14 sits on top of the fire pit stand 12. In an example, the fire pitbody 14 stays in place on the fire pit stand 12 using gravity. In otherexamples, the fire pit body 14 and fire pit stand 12 can engage in athreaded manner or by any other suitable connection, for example, byusing clips, clasps, screws, hinges, clamps, latches, among others.

FIG. 4 illustrate an example wherein the fire pit stand 12 is angled orcurved. For example, the top circumference of the fire pit stand 12 canbe greater than the bottom circumference, creating an angled or curvedfire pit stand. The fire pit stand 12 can include a at least one row ofstand openings 16. The stand openings 16 can be linearly aligned aroundthe circumference of the fire pit stand 12. In an example, the standopenings 16 can have a diameter of between, and including, 0.2 to 1.0inches (e.g., 0.7 inches).

The disclosure provides a fire pit system 10 that can be designed with adouble wall, wherein the fire pit system 10 is a natural convectioninverted downgas gasifer fire pit. The air intake holes near the bottomof the fire pit system 10 (e.g., stand openings 16 and/or body openings18) channel air to the bottom of the fire. At the same time, the airintake holes (e.g., stand openings 16 and/or body openings 18) near thebottom of the fire pit channel warm air up between the walls of the firepit. The burst of preheated oxygen feeding back into the firebox throughthe smaller holes near the top of the fire pit causes a secondarycombustion. The secondary combustion allows the fire to burn morecomplete, which is why there is very little smoke during full burn. Amore efficient burn also means you will use much less wood compared toan open camp fire. The fire pit does not just burn wood, it actuallycooks the smoke out of the wood and then burns the smoke not once, buttwice.

The fire pit system 10 can feature a heat shield 26 between an ash pan24 and a bottom of the fire pit stand 12. The heat shield 26 can protectthe ground under the fire pit system 10 from scorching

In an example, the system 10 can include a cooking ring 20 that includesan angled lip 21 that increases efficiency by directing heat towards thepot on the cooking ring, which minimizes heat loss. The cooking ring 20can act as a windshield while allowing oxygen to flow inward, furtherincreasing the fire pit's efficiency.

The cooking ring 20 can nest inside of the fire pit body 14. Forexample, the cooking ring can be turned right side up and sit on anelement to hold a pot or pan in place for cooking. The cooking ring 20can have three L-shaped legs 32 to keep the pot or pan in place andelevated while cooking. The cooking ring 20 can have an opening to allowthe user to feed additional fuel into the fire pit while it is burning.

The fire pit system 10 can include an interior wall 22 positioned insidethe fire pit body 14. The interior wall can include a plurality ofinterior wall holes toward the top of the interior wall 22 that allowsthe heated air to flow out the top of the fire pit system 10 and out theinterior wall holes 28 where the secondary combustion takes place,creating jets of fire from each hole. In an example, the interior wallholes 28 can have a diameter of between, and including, 0.1 to 0.8inches (e.g., 0.38 inches). A wire grate 30 can be located at the bottomof the fire pit system 10 that holds the fuel from touching the ashpan24 and allows in the necessary airflow to keep the fuel burning. Thegrate 30 can be made from nichrome wire, which has an extremely highmelting point. The cooking ring can sit atop a lip of the fire pit body14.

An ashpan 24 can be used to gather all the ash and debris that fallsthrough from the wire grate 30 while the fire pit system 10 is burning.In an example, the ashpan 24 can be built into the fire pit body 14and/or fire pit stand 12, where the ashpan 24 does not move. Simplyturning the ashpan 24 upside down and dumping it out can dispose of ashand debris, once the fire pit system 10 and debris have cooled.

The system 10 can include a heat shield 26, the purpose of which is toprevent the bottom of the fire pit from overheating and burning theground. The heat shield 26 can deflect the heat upward, keeping thebottom of the fire pit cooler and preventing the ground from beingscorched. The heat shield 26 can be built into the fire pit body 14 andcan be located below the ashpan 24.

In an example, the fire pit system 10 can be made using a one-piececonstruction process. The manufacturing process can allow the use ofstate-of-the-art precision presses to form and shape solid pieces ofhigh-grade stainless steel. The fire pit body 14 and/or fire pit stand12 of the fire pit system 10 can be one piece of stainless steel with noseams or welds. The fire pit body 14 and the floating ashpan 24 can bemade using one-piece construction, which eliminates the need forexcessive welding and increases the overall strength and lifespan of thefire pit system 10. Nichrome wire, which has a high melting point of2552 degrees Fahrenheit, can be used for the grate 30.

The fire pit system 10 can be assembled by placing the fire pit system10 on level ground away from wind. A windscreen can be used to greatlyincrease the efficiency of the fire pit. For added safety, any flammableground debris can be removed within a five foot radius of the fire pitsystem (e.g., twigs, leaves, grass etc.). The nested cooking ring 20 canbe removed from inside the fire pit, and inverted with the three potstands facing up and placing the cooking ring on top of the fire pit.The fire pit stand 12 can be removed from inside the fire pit body 14,placed on the ground, then the fire pit body 14 can be placed on top ofthe fire pit stand.

The fuel can be prepared by gathering dry twigs and other biofuel ofdifferent sizes. The twigs can be broken into finger length pieces andseparate them into piles according to their thickness (small, medium,large).

The following are two examples of methods that can be used to start thefire in the fire pit.

Method 1: A fuel-efficient way to cook on the fire pit system 10 is witha full load of fuel that is lit on top. Large sticks and twigs can beplaced neatly on top of the nichrome wire grate up until the bottom ofthe top air vents of the interior wall holes. A small fire can be lit ontop using your favorite tinder or fire starter. The fire can be fed withsmall to medium sized sticks and tinder until the fire isself-sustaining. The fire can continue to be fed until it has spreadacross the full width of the fire pit and the main fuel load begins toburn from the top down. After the air in the wall of the fire pit heatsup, airflow will improve and a secondary combustion will be visible nearsome or all of the secondary air vents (e.g., interior wall holes). Ifthe initial burn consumes the main fuel load and a flame is needed tocontinue cooking, additional fuel can be added through the opening inthe cooking ring. For example, finger sized twigs can be added and otherbiofuel to maintain a flame.

Method 2: A tinder or fire starter can be used to light a small fireinside the fire pit and pile on small to medium sized twigs to stoke thefire. As the fire grows, larger sticks and twigs can be added. Largersticks and twigs can keep the fire burning longer and will decrease theamount of times required for feeding the fire. If too much fuel is addedtoo late, especially with thick or damp sticks, there may be a lot ofsmoke and the fire may be snuffed. This method of operation, althoughoften easier for beginners, can produce more smoke than Method 1 becausethe wood gas rises directly to combustion with the secondary air withoutthe cleaning effect of passage through a hot layer of charcoal.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire pit system, comprising: a fire pit standdefining a maximum outside diameter; and a fire pit body adapted to sitatop the fire pit stand in a use configuration, the fire pit bodycomprising: an exterior body wall; and an interior body wall positionedinside the exterior body wall, the interior body wall defining a minimuminside diameter greater than the maximum outside diameter of the firepit stand, wherein the fire pit stand is adapted to fit within the firepit body in a portable configuration.
 2. The fire pit system of claim 1,wherein the exterior body wall of the fire pit body is cylindrical. 3.The fire pit system of claim 1, wherein the interior body wall of thefire pit body is cylindrical.
 4. The fire pit system of claim 1, whereinthe fire pit stand includes a cylindrical stand wall defining themaximum outside diameter of the fire pit stand.
 5. The fire pit systemof claim 1, wherein the fire pit body defines a body top end portion anda body bottom end portion; and wherein at least one row of interior wallopenings are formed through the interior body wall along a circumferenceof the body top end portion.
 6. The fire pit system of claim 5, whereinthe interior wall openings are circular.
 7. The fire pit system of claim1, wherein the fire pit body defines a body top end portion and a bodybottom end portion; and wherein a plurality of body openings are formedthrough the exterior body wall along a circumference of the body bottomend portion.
 8. The fire pit system of claim 7, wherein the bodyopenings are circular.
 9. The fire pit system of claim 1, wherein thefire pit stand includes a stand wall; and wherein at least one row ofstand openings are formed through the stand wall along a circumferenceof the fire pit stand.
 10. The fire pit system of claim 9, wherein thestand openings are circular.
 11. The fire pit system of claim 1, whereinthe fire pit stand includes a stand wall defining a top edge and abottom edge; and wherein the stand wall is curved so that acircumference of the top edge is greater than a circumference of thebottom edge.
 12. A fire pit system, comprising: a fire pit standdefining a maximum outside diameter; and a fire pit body adapted to sitatop the fire pit stand in a use configuration, the fire pit bodycomprising: an exterior body wall; and an interior body wall positionedinside the exterior body wall, wherein the fire pit stand is adapted tofit within the fire pit body in a portable configuration, and whereinthe fire pit stand includes a cylindrical stand wall defining themaximum outside diameter of the fire pit stand.
 13. The fire pit systemof claim 12, wherein the exterior body wall of the fire pit body iscylindrical.
 14. The fire pit system of claim 12, wherein the interiorbody wall of the fire pit body is cylindrical.
 15. The fire pit systemof claim 12, wherein the fire pit body defines a body top end portionand a body bottom end portion; and wherein at least one row of interiorwall openings are formed through the interior body wall along acircumference of the body top end portion.
 16. The fire pit system ofclaim 15, wherein the interior wall openings are circular.
 17. The firepit system of claim 12, wherein the fire pit body defines a body top endportion and a body bottom end portion; and wherein a plurality of bodyopenings are formed through the exterior body wall along a circumferenceof the body bottom end portion.
 18. The fire pit system of claim 17,wherein the body openings are circular.
 19. The fire pit system of claim12, wherein at least one row of stand openings are formed through thecylindrical stand wall along a circumference of the fire pit stand. 20.The fire pit system of claim 19, wherein the stand openings arecircular.